Sightings for December 2015

December 31st

Some of the 4-500 Lapwing
currently at Stanpit – Alan Hayden

A day of very strong wind from the south-west made for difficult
birding, to say the least. At Stanpit this morning, there was a
Water Pipit and 8 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit on North Marsh,
adjacent to the Pod, while an afternoon visit added Grey Plover,
50+ Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Dunlin to the post. For those
interested in such things, a quick check of the year-list shows
the area experienced 209 species during 2015.

December 30th

Pintail – Alan Crockard
(upper) and Alan Hayden

Curlew – Leo Pyke

A night of onshore wind actually
resulted in significantly less seabirds than brought on by the
south-westerlies of the last couple of weeks. In particular,
Gannet were very low in numbers, perhaps just 30 birds milling
around Christchurch Bay this morning. In addition, the
sand-blasted observers at the Beach Huts managed only 2 Kittiwake
east and a couple of Common Scoter riding our the swell, while
those at Mudeford Quay faired slightly better as a Kittiwake
patrolled the Run for an hour and an unidentified diver was seen
moving west. The quay also held a presumed ‘Scandinavian’ Herring
Gull, a total of 3 Purple Sandpiper was logged and a Great Crested
Grebe was in Barn Bight. All in all, a disappointing day for the
conditions.

December 29th

Putative argentatus 'Scandinavian' Herring
Gull. One of at least two birds that have been seen from
Mudeford Quay over the last month. We are in the learning process
with these birds and while this is clearly not a classic
northern-Scandinavian individual, we wondered if it might be from
the southern extreme of the sub-species' range?
We would welcome any feedback
or comments
All photos – Alan Hayden

It was relatively calm this morning,
but during the afternoon the wind gathered pace ahead of storm
Frank. From the Beach Huts, a (the?) Black-throated Diver headed
west, as did 3 Kittiwake and 4 Guillemot, while 2 Red-breasted
Merganser moved into the Solent and a handful of Gannet fished
offshore. Also from Hengistbury, a couple of Redwing in the Wood.
At Stanpit, a Chiffchaff was in Stanpit Scrubs and four
likely-looking ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit were by the Pod, but at
least nine rock-type pipits eventually came up from that area.
Meanwhile, the marsh in general holds lots of birds, the pick
being at least 15 Pintail and 3 Shoveler. To wrap up, there are
now four juvenile Brent Goose being regularly seen.

December 28th

After a couple of mornings of high
tides, Stanpit was visited and came up with a nice selection of
birds, including 3 Water Pipit and 3 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit.
The Spotted Redshank was the best of the waders, but also a Grey
Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 65 Black-tailed Godwit in Stanpit
Bight. An in-harbour Red-breasted Merganser is a notable record
for the area, while 14 Pintail and 3 Shoveler were also logged.
Over on Hengistbury, a Kingfisher and 4 Little Grebe were around
Barn Bight.

December 27th

The strong south-westerly wind
persisted, so again the sea was the centre of attention, watched
from both Mudeford Quay and the Beach Huts. The best were a Great
Skua west and what is presumed to be a lingering Black-throated
Diver in flight a couple of times. Also, a Red-throated Diver into
the Solent, a total of 289 Gannet from dawn until just after
11:00, 6 Common Gull, those have been scarce over the last week or
so, 25 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 2 Brent Goose and 4 Common Scoter,
all west; while a further six scoter were settled, as were 3 Great
Crested Grebe. Another 2 Great Crested Grebe were in Barn Bight
and the only non-waterbird record for the day involves some
Redwing calling at the end of the head.

December 26th

Between 8:00 and 10:00 this morning, the sea off Mudeford Quay
was relatively productive, with the best being: a Grey Phalarope
in flight then landing on the water; a Red-necked Grebe heading
east; and, never easy during the winter months, a Fulmar - that or
another also being seen from Whitepits. In addition, 10 Kittiwake,
a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 28 Gannet and 5
Razorbill were notched up at the quay. Meanwhile, on Hengistbury,
a Firecrest, 15 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing and the Treecreeper were in
the Wood, Wick hosted 3 Siskin, the maximum count of Purple
Sandpiper on the sandspit was ten and a drake Goldeneye was inside
the harbour, as was a Great Crested Grebe. A rare afternoon visit
to the Beach Huts added a Black-throated Diver west, three settled
Common Scoter, a Guillemot and a similar number of Gannet to the
morning’s tally. To finish the day, the low tide in the Run again
saw two presumed argentatus
‘Scandinavian’ Herring Gull, as well as a second-winter
Mediterranean Gull; and, to finish the post, the pair of Raven
were about.

December 25th

Robin at Stanpit – Alan
Crockard

Mudeford Quay was visited at both ends of the day - the morning
session producing 2 Red-breasted Merganser east and 6 Kittiwake
plus 25 Gannet west. Later, the post-turkey watch came up with a
further 27 Gannet west, but more interestingly: a Slavonian Grebe
on the sea and an adult Yellow-legged Gull and two adult
Scandinavian-type Herring Gull on the sandbar.

December 24th

The overnight, south-westerly blast had obviously forced a good
number of Gannet into the western Solent, which headed back
towards the Channel shortly after first light - around 250 birds
were estimated from Mudeford Quay between 8:00 and 9:00. Also from
the quay, a Great Skua and a Black-throated Diver at sea, while an
unseasonable Little Stint flew through the Run and into the
harbour. Grey Plover also seemed to be on the move, as 10 birds,
in flocks of two and eight, headed west. As many as 28 Purple
Sandpiper were reckoned, also from the quay, and with six being
logged at the other end of the sandspit the day’s total could
realistically exceed thirty. A lone Grey Plover was also settled
on the spit. Elsewhere, 4 Redwing were on the Batters and a Great
Crested Grebe was in Barn Bight.

December 23rd

Goldcrest – Alan
Crockard

Skylark – Alan Crockard

There were 2 Firecrest in the Wood this morning, both along the
path that borders the Salt Hurns, as well as the Treecreeper;
while a Brambling, 4 Siskin and 9 Redwing were at the end of the
head. What was presumably the same Slavonian Grebe as the weekend
headed across Christchurch Bay towards the Run, seen from the
Beach Huts; as were a Red-throated Diver, 140 Gannet, 5 Guillemot,
3 Razorbill and eleven unidentified auks, all west. At least 8
Purple Sandpiper - five by the huts and three on the tip of the
sandspit - were logged and 15 Snipe were on Wick Hams.

December 22nd

Last week, Christchurch & East Dorset Councils Countryside
Team sited this grit tray at Stanpit. During the winter months,
Bearded Tit need the assistance of grit to grind their diet of
seed so making it digestible for them. Thanks to Jack, Jamie and
Robin for this initiative. Photo - Robin Harley

A blustery day saw the two, presumably-wintering Sandwich Tern
leaving the harbour towards Avon Beach this morning. Meanwhile, 2
Kittiwake and 28 Gannet were logged from the Beach Huts. Inside
the harbour at Stanpit, there were 125 Black-tailed Godwit, a good
count of 27 Common Gull and a Kingfisher, all seen from the
Pod.

December 21st

It was slim pickings again today - the best being 5 Purple
Sandpiper at the southern end of the sandspit, two adult
Mediterranean Gull west and 4 Redwing on the Batters. In addition,
there were 16 Gannet fishing offshore and a Coal Tit in the Wood.
Please check back to yesterday for some extra news.

December 20th

This continued period of mild, south-west-originated weather is
starting to test the patience of even the staunchest locals. So
much so, that reports have been received from only one source
today. On the sandspit, there were 10 Purple Sandpiper on groyne
S9 this afternoon; while the morning had seen 2 Shelduck, not a
straightforward species in the area during the late year, at
Stanpit.

Additional news: the Purple Sandpiper total was actually 14 birds
and there are now three juvenile Brent Goose on Stanpit - two in a
family unit and a lone bird. Also on the marsh, 4 'Scandinavian'
Rock Pipit and 14 Pintail.

December 19th

The day’s highlight was a Slavonian Grebe that flew a short
distance along the sandspit before settling on the sea off the
Beach Huts. Other than that and 7 Red-throated Diver, six of them
west, the sea was a dull affair. Two Red-breasted Merganser west
and 2 Great Crested Grebe east being the only movers; while ten or
so Common Scoter were settled, small numbers of Kittiwake and
Gannet were attracted to a food source in Christchurch Bay, as was
an adult Mediterranean Gull, and few Guillemot blogged. A
Firecrest showed really well in the Wood, seven or so Redwing were
logged from the head and Wick, and the regular 2 Raven were on
that side of the area. Over at Stanpit, the Spotted Redshank, 2
Grey Plover, 22 Black-tailed Godwit and 9 Dunlin were the best of
the once-again small gathering of waders. Meanwhile, the Pintail
had also dropped, down to two today, and a pair of Gadwall was
present. Finally, for those of you who don’t follow the Twitter
feed, a week ago today the group was pleased to present Alan
Hayden and Leo Pyke with a copy of the BTO Atlas for their
significant contributions to CHOG, as well as awarding Leo with a
life-membership in recognition of completing the editing of a
quarter-century of The Birds of Christchurch Harbour.

December 18th

Some Black-headed Gull
are now in breeding plumage – Clinton Whale

Cormorant in the Run –
Clinton Whale

Tawny Owl are a real enigma in the area, only being recorded a
few times each year but often in situations which suggest birds
are resident. For example, there were two calling to each other
during the morning gloaming on Hengistbury today. Perhaps more
evening visits are needed to determine the species’ true status?
At Stanpit, the Spotted Redshank was present, along with 71
Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin - the latter
three numbers all suggesting the recent wader glut may have been a
brief one - as well as 7 Pintail. The Purple Sandpiper tally from
the sandspit was nine, all on the usual groyne S9, while 2 Raven
were about the same area.

December 17th

The Marsh Harrier, hunting Wick Hams at 9:35, was the best
during a low-key day; although 7 Kittiwake and 49 Gannet passed
west, while a Great Crested Grebe headed into the Solent.

December 16th

There were 5 Water Pipit at Stanpit this morning – four on
Priory Marsh and one by the Pod – while 12 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock
Pipit were spread about. Also on the marsh, the Spotted Redshank,
2 Bar-tailed Godwit and a sudden increase of Black-tailed Godwit
to 270 birds. In the hour or so after 10:00, seawatching from
Mudeford Quay produced a distant Great Skua, as well as a settled
Black-throated Diver and three eastbound Red-throated Diver.
Earlier, from the Beach Huts, a Great Northern Diver was logged,
that also going into the Solent, plus twelve lingering Common
Scoter. Just one Purple Sandpiper was seen on the sandspit, along
with 2 Raven, and a further 19 Black-tailed Godwit were on Wick
meadows.

December 15th

There is little to mention today, save for 2 Sandwich Tern in
the Run, a brown-head Goldeneye inside the harbour off Rushy Piece
and 11 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit. Additionally, 2 Common
Scoter and 7 Gannet were at sea, 2 Great Crested Grebe passed, one
east, one west; while 2 Raven were about.

December 14th

Turnstone – Clinton
Whale

In a chilly south-easterly wind, a Long-tailed Duck was seen on
a couple of occasions, in the company of 3 Common Scoter, from the
Beach Huts. Meanwhile, other seabird interest from there and the
western beach of Hengistbury included: a Black-throated Diver, 3
Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Tern, 44 Kittiwake, 5 Mediterranean
Gull, 3 Guillemot, 14 auk sp., a further 16 Common Scoter and 28
Gannet; all but the terns and the scoters heading west. The best
at Stanpit was a Water Pipit by the Pod, also 12 ‘Scandinavian’
Rock Pipit, most of those in the same area. The Marsh Harrier was
seen from that side of the river, as well as over Wick Hams at
10:30 and half an hour later over the Wick meadows. There were no
small wader numbers returned, but a Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed
Godwit and 75 Black-tailed Godwit were at Stanpit; as were 12
Pintail, 6 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Duck. Late in the
morning, a Redpoll, 4 Siskin and a Redwing were settled on
Hengistbury.

December 13th

Skylark on the Barn
Field – Clinton Whale

A little bit of social activity last night meant it was only
really the WeBS counters who made it into the field early on. The
best from them was a Jack Snipe at Stanpit, while the day’s
photographer confirmed 21 Purple Sandpiper on groyne S9. No doubt
due to the low water levels in the Avon Valley, which is almost
devoid of birds, the harbour again recorded a Wigeon figure in
excess of eight-hundred - 833, in fact. In addition, 7 Pintail, 2
Shoveler, a Gadwall, 136 Teal and 211 Brent Goose, none of them
reported as young birds, were counted. The last week seems to have
seen an influx of Dunlin and Lapwing - 123 and 791 respectively
today - with other wader numbers including: a Grey Plover, a
Bar-tailed Godwit, 52 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Turnstone and 32
Ringed Plover. Little Grebe came to seven and a Great Crested
Grebe was in the harbour by Blackberry Point.

December 12th

After a quiet start, the sea picked up with interest at 9:20
when a Grey Phalarope headed west just offshore from the Beach
Huts. This was followed shortly later by a Black-throated Diver,
then groups of four and two of Red-throated Diver; while earlier a
couple of Sandwich Tern headed into the harbour. Throughout, there
was a westward trickle of Kittiwake and Guillemot, fourteen and
nineteen respectively, as well as nine unidentified auks and 5
Common Scoter. Meanwhile, a further 9 Common Scoter and a
Razorbill were settled. Finishing with the sandspit, at least 12
Purple Sandpiper were present. Elsewhere, a Brambling and a
Chiffchaff were on Wick, the Treecreeper was in the Wood, a
Peregrine was over the Batters, a Great Crested Grebe was in Barn
Bight and 41 Lapwing were on the Barn Field.

December 11th

One of two Raven on
Crouch Hill this afternoon – Clinton Whale

...and a mixed flock of Dunlin
and Ringed Plover on the
sandspit – Clinton Whale

The picks of a relatively quiet day were a Firecrest in the Wood
and a Bullfinch on Wick, while 15 Purple Sandpiper were again on
the sandspit, mostly around groyne S8. Also on the spit, 28 Ringed
Plover and 40 Dunlin. The only other bird information concerns a
Kingfisher on the Wick meadows, but please do check back to
yesterday for a piece of local-interest news that was omitted. Of
amphibian interest, as the mild weather continues there are still
Natterjack tadpoles in pools on Hengistbury. Finally, today is the
last chance to register for the next Outdoor Meeting, see details
below.

December 10th

Little Egret at Stanpit
– Alan Crockard

The south-westerly wind gathered a little more pace today, so
seawatching is pretty much the exclusive content of this post. In
the period prior to 9:30, all three divers passed by Mudeford Quay
- one Black-throated Diver, that also seen from the Beach Huts, a
Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Diver. Other totals from
the two sites came to: 15 Kittiwake, 5 Common Gulll, 9 Razorbill,
2 Guillemot and 20 auk sp., all west; fourteen settled Common
Scoter; and the presumed argentatus,
‘Scandinavian’, Herring Gull on the end of the sandspit.

Omission: Blackcap are quite a rarity in the area during the
winter months, so one in the Hengistbury Visitors Centre was nice;
as was a Kingfisher about the pools in the Nursery.

December 9th

The Marsh Harrier was seen from Stanpit this morning, where 2
Water Pipit were present - one by the Rusty Boat and one on
Grimmery Bank - as were 9 ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit - five by the
Pod and four on Grimmery Bank. Also on the marsh, 3 Chiffchaff on
the golf course embankment and 6 Pintail. The best return of
Purple Sandpiper from the sandspit was 15 birds, along with 15
Ringed Plover and 34 Dunlin there, while 18 Black-tailed Godwit
were on Wick meadows and 57 Lapwing were on the Barn Field. This
afternoon, a 3-hour seawatch produced 16 Guillemot and 20 Common
Scoter; and a Raven overhead.

December 8th

The Marsh Harrier was seen hunting a couple of times this
morning - firstly, at 9:10 over Wick Hams, then an hour or so
later over Wick Fields. Also about the fields, a Fieldfare, 4
Chiffchaff and 15 Siskin. A final reminder, see below, about
tomorrow evening's indoor meeting.

December 7th

What is presumed to be a regular Marsh Harrier was around Wick
Hams between 1:00 and 2:00 this afternoon, even perching on
fenceposts for some time. Earlier, a walk along the sandspit found
12 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin, while the
Treecreeper was in the Wood and a Chiffchaff was on Wick. A
reasonably-busy sea came up with: a Red-throated Diver, 112
Kittiwake, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 16 Common Gull, 6 Razorbill, 4
Guillemot, 18 auk sp., 3 Red-breasted Merganser, a Great Crested
Grebe and 52 Gannet west; 6 Shelduck east; and twenty-one sitting
Common Scoter. Apart from a couple of items of purely local
interest, which feature at the end of the post, the remaining news
comes from Stanpit, where 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Pintail, 2
Gadwall and 210 Brent Goose were counted. To round up, there were
three in-harbour Great Crested Grebe, and now the real gem: a
total of 130 Rook left the Nursery roost at dawn! Until recently,
the species was absent from the area other than passage-period
flyovers and a single, failed breeding attempt.

December 6th

Lapwing – Clinton Whale

There are few reports from a day of reasonably inclement
weather. In fact, perhaps the most notable return is of 4 Great
Crested Grebe in Barn Bight, a species that is far from
commonplace inside the harbour. Meanwhile, a Firecrest was in
holly bushes where the Wood borders the Salt Hurns and a Great
Skua passed west at sea. Also over the water, up to 20 Kittiwake,
a further Great Crested Grebe, 7 Guillemot and 18 Gannet, all
westbound.

December 5th

Teal with a backdrop of
Mallard – Alan Crockard

Brent Goose – Clinton
Whale

It almost goes without saying that the strength of the wind
meant some seawatching would take place this morning. As it turned
out, however, it was something of a typical Hengistbury
anticlimax. Over a 3-hour period, just: 33 Kittiwake, although
some were very close, 3 Guillemot, a redhead Red-breasted
Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe were logged heading west;
while the twenty or so Common Scoter remained settled. Also from
the Beach Huts, a single Purple Sandpiper. Over at Stanpit, the
Spotted Redshank was confirmed as still being present, along with
34 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ringed Plover and 13 Dunlin. Meanwhile,
134 Mute Swan were counted, which is remarkable figure for the
time of year.

December 4th

Although not counted, it was reckoned there were
really good numbers of Wigeon
about the area today – Clinton Whale

The biggest news of the day is of a juvenile Brent Goose amongst
a couple of hundred adults at Stanpit. The Siberian-breeding
dark-bellied birds have seemingly had a catastrophic summer with
only a handful of youngsters in the south-coast gatherings. To add
some context, however, this comes after at least 2 years of bumper
crop. Marsh Harrier feature again - single birds being seen
approaching from the east and towards the Wood at 7:50 and heading
south over Ashtree Meadows at 9:05 - as do Black Redstart, with
two being at the southern end of the sandspit. Also on
Hengistbury, a Firecrest and a Fieldfare in the Wood. Waders at
Stanpit haven’t been returned for a while, so a report of the
Spotted Redshank, a Grey Plover, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Ringed
Plover and 5 Dunlin was welcomed. The drake Tufted Duck was again
logged, as were 5 Raven.

Yesterday, a lost-looking dog was seen on East Marsh, Stanpit,
and we've just learnt it had earlier slipped its leash at Avon
Beach - photo
and contact details.

December 3rd

The wind took on a more southerly vector this morning and pushed
a variety of seabirds into Christchurch Bay. A juvenile Pomarine
Skua headed into the Solent, seen from the Beach Huts, while a
Little Gull, 177 Kittiwake, these stopping abruptly at 9:00, 6
Mediterranean Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 4 Eider, 18 Common Scoter and
11 Razorbill moved west. Also, the regular twenty or so Common
Scoter off the sandspit, which held 8 Purple Sandpiper, 13 Ringed
Plover and 2 Dunlin in a small high-tide roost. In addition to 4
Chiffchaff, Hengustbury held a significant number of Goldcrest,
seemingly newly arrived and estimated to exceed 50 birds.
Meanwhile, a Brambling, 9 Siskin and 95 Goldfinch passed over.

December 2nd

Rock Pipit on the
saltmarsh at Stanpit – Alan Crockard

Ringed Plover on the
sandspit recently – Clinton Whale

Again, the sea received the lion’s share of the day’s time.
Close-in Black-throated Diver have been seen a few times recently,
so a bird west past the Beach Huts this morning may mean there is
a lingering individual. Meanwhile, a pair of pale-bellied Brent
Goose moved into the Solent and the settled Common Scoter were
today counted to be 17 birds. Also from the huts, 2 Mediterranean
Gull, 2 Razorbill, a Guillemot, 5 Gannet and 2 Purple Sandpiper;
while 2 Black Redstart were about the southern end of the spit. A
couple of Firecrest seem faithful to the northern edge of the
Wood, where it borders the Salt Hurns, plus a Treecreeper and 35
Goldcrest throughout the trees as a whole. Overhead passage
continues, with 280 Goldfinch, 62 Linnet, 21 Siskin and 6 Redpoll
east this morning, as well as 20 Redwing heading inland after
appearing to have roosted in the Nursery. To finish up, 3 Pintail
were in Barn Bight and the Great Crested Grebe remained off the
Salt Hurns.

December 1st

The recent, strong winds dropped away a little overnight but the
sea still most of the attention. The Black-necked Grebe was seen
again off Mudeford Quay, while around 20 Common Scoter were also
settled in Christchurch Bay. Moving birds included a
Black-throated Diver and a Razorbill west, plus a Great Northern
Diver and a Great Crested Grebe east. A further ‘great-crest’ was
inside the harbour, a single Purple Sandpiper was logged on the
sandspit and 3 Black-tailed Godwit were in Holloway’s Dock.